MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said she would be filing a bill penalizing acts of violence and discrimination against health workers and frontliners as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Hontiveros said the measure she plans to file once session resumes in May seeks to amend the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act or Republic Act. No. 11332.

(It is unacceptable that our frontliners, who have sacrificed so much to save the lives of those who need help, are becoming victims of discrimination in their communities).

The senator also joined the appeal on local government units (LGUs) to pass and implement measures to better protect health workers and other frontliners from discrimination and attacks.

“There is no health without health workers. They and other frontliners are heroes and should be treated with respect and compassion, not hate and suspicion,” she said.

Hontiveros recommended that LGUs pass ordinances against the incidence of health workers being denied entry into their communities or places of residence by neighbors, dormitory or apartment owners, and even barangay officials.

“An anti-discrimination ordinance for the protection of health workers and other frontliners in the time of COVID-19 should establish clear mechanisms for the reporting and redress of grievances,” she said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This measure should also penalize acts of discrimination in order to fully support our health workers and other frontliners in the conduct of their duty,” she added.

Anti-discrimination ordinances for health workers are already being implemented in the cities of Manila, Parañaque, and Iloilo, while similar ordinances are being deliberated by other LGUs, she noted.

She then urged the Department of Health (DOH) to invest in information campaigns that will dispel rumors and fake news regarding COVID-19, especially those that put the safety of health workers at risk.

The lawmaker, likewise, encouraged LGUs to follow recommendations set by the Department of Interior and Local Government to better protect frontliners, such as deploying more law enforcement agents in the vicinity of hospitals, providing free transport to health workers, and keeping streets leading to medical facilities well-lit.

/MUF

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link .

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.